Concrete Mould Release agent is basically known as shuttering oil or mould oil. This mould release agent is used for applying over the plywood or metal forms for assembling the formwork and before pouring concrete into the mould. A form release agent provides a barrier between the concrete and the formwork.
Due to this the concrete does not stick to the formwork and makes de-shuttering of the formwork easy. The shuttering oil is available in various forms. One of the forms of shuttering oils is water-based which is eco-friendly in nature. This material helps in protecting from moisture and corrosion due to which the strength of the concrete increases.
The use of concrete mould release agent also enhances the surface finish of the concrete which helps in getting smoother and aesthetically pleasing surfaces. It is essential to consider the category of mould release agent to be selected as the materials are available in various categories which depending on the requirement can be used.
Some are useful for extreme temperatures and for achieving the desired texture of the concrete. Shuttering release oil is versatile and indispensable product in construction which helps in easy de-shuttering and high-quality concrete finishes.
Categories of release agents
Pure oil release agent
Pure oil release agents are a mixture of mineral, vegetable, and animal oils, and thus, it is a blend of a variety of oils. This kind of oil possesses good isolation and lubricating properties and is easy to demould.
These materials help in anti-rust properties for steel formwork and reinforced concrete formwork thus this is a satisfactory product. The disadvantage of the product is that it pollutes the concrete surface.
The mix of oil and alkali leads to concrete surface becoming powdery. The waste engine oil may require attention as the oil is dangerous to human health. The example of pure oil is the product Addage Bondcote 900 ASO. It is the product of Sakshi Chem Sciences Pvt Ltd.
Emulsified oil release agent
This type of oil is also known as emulsion release agent. It is bifurcated into water-in-oil emulsion and oil-in-water emulsion. By using this technology, the water in oil emulsion is made by suspending water in oil phase. In this usual oil is used as raw material, which is emulsified to achieve the desired oil-in-water emulsion release agent.
This release agent is easy to use for de-moulding, easy to use, low in cost, does not cause pollution to concrete, and is suitable for both wooden and steel formwork thus this is a highly recommended product.
Saponified oil release agent
This release agent is recommended for wooden formwork. The demolding effect uses saponified emulsion to isolate and lubricate the wooden or metal formwork.
The raw material of soap release agent is easily available, it has a lower production cost due to which it is a cheaper material, the preparation is easy, and convenient to use. This is ideally recommended to be used for floor mould or wood moulds.
Paraffin based release agent
Compared with the emulsion release agents, it has a better gas freezing effect on concrete products surfaces and stronger resistance.
In case if the paraffin layer is used in excessive quantity due to which the thick coat is applied on the concrete, then in that case it leaves traces of paraffin over the concrete surface affecting beauty and secondary decoration over the product surface.
Chemically active concrete mould release agent
This material compound contains fatty acid. When applied to the surface, it can slowly react with the free alkali in concrete to form water-insoluble fatty acid salts.
It can help avoid the consolidation of concrete in contact with formwork. This is an expensive process and improper use of the release agent can cause powdering of the concrete surface.
Synthetic resin release agent
This release agent consists of methyl silicon resin, epoxy resin and unsaturated polyester resin. The release agent produced has a good release effect and can be used multiple times. The cost of the product is higher, and the stencil is easy to clean when updating coating.
Other type of release agent
The other release agents include electric release methods, rubber coatings, plastic spray films. These products are costly and difficult to be applied in construction.
Release mechanism of concrete and formwork
Here, separation of the concrete and the formwork is achieved through the force needed to overcome the adhesion between the formwork and the hardened concrete, or the cohesion of the concrete surface.
The release agents aid in minimizing the effects through physical and chemical reactions. Its release mechanism is primarily attained in the following methods:
- Chemical effect: The release agents react with the ions present inside the concrete to form substance with isolation effect due to which the demolding effect is being played.
- Physical lubrication: The release agent basically acts as a lubricating material between the formwork and concrete which weakens the affinity between two objects to release the form.
- Film-forming isolation effect: The release agent is coated to the surface of the concrete to form a film, which relies on the film to play an isolation role and thus helps in releasing the mould.
Supplier of Concrete Mould Release Agent
The Mould release agent named Addage Bondcote 200 SN is a product of Sakshi Chem Sciences Pvt Ltd which is a very effective material to help the concrete retain moisture and makes de-shuttering easy while removing the wood or metal forms from the surface. This material is a low cost, easy to use material and easily dilutes with the solvent.
The Addage Bondcote 200 SN is a non-hazardous and non-toxic material which even does not produce any stains on the surface. The shutters are not required to be cleaned while doing re-use of the shutters and ensures smooth and easy surface.
This product helps in increasing the lifespan of the mould. The manufacturing of the product involves the use of carefully selected mineral oils. It is, therefore, a non-toxic agent because of their excellent properties.
This product also has good water-repelling properties. Thus, using this product the formwork can be protected from water damage and smooth surface and texture can be gained. As the product does not create stains on the surface this material can also be used for white cement.
Conclusion:
Thus, concrete mould release agent is beneficial for the use as a shuttering oil as it helps in easy removal of the mould after the concrete is set. The manufacturing of the product involves the use of carefully selected mineral oils.
It is, therefore, a non-toxic agent selected because of their excellent properties. Thus, this is a highly recommended product for use in construction.